From the next day onward, Shiller began escorting Emma to and from school every day. Emma protested, insisting it wasn’t necessary, but her objections were ignored. Each morning, the luxurious carriage of the ducal house would be waiting in front of her home.
“Seeing your face in the morning makes it a good day,” Shiller would say.
Even her family’s carriage stopped coming in the afternoons. Emma’s mother, who had always been indulgent toward Shiller, seemed to approve of this arrangement. When they parted each day, Shiller would gaze at Emma and softly whisper,
“You’ve worked hard today. I’m already looking forward to seeing you tomorrow.”
Under Shiller’s intense, handsome gaze, Emma would feel her face heat up. She tried convincing herself that she’d grow accustomed to it eventually, but even after one week, two weeks, nothing changed.
Shiller had a habit of gifting Emma small items daily—things she needed, things she wanted, or things she hadn’t even realized she lacked yet.
“A new pen nib might be nice.”
“I found this lovely handkerchief—take it.”
“How about changing your perfume?”
“I thought this hairpin might suit your taste.”
Every gift felt carefully chosen, as if Shiller had an uncanny ability to know exactly what Emma needed or desired.
Sometimes, after school, they would make small detours.
“Come with me to that new foreign-style café in town. It’s hard to walk in alone as a man.”
When Shiller mentioned this during lunch, Margit, who was sitting with them, chimed in, “Oh, I’d like to join you!”
Emma, knowing Margit’s busy schedule, asked sincerely, “But aren’t you too busy?”
Margit playfully made an exaggerated angry face. “I’ll make time for you, Emma!”
“Going out with you, Margit? I’m so excited!”
The two looked at each other and giggled, causing Shiller to interject, “Don’t forget, this was my idea. I’ll be there too, you know!”
Emma found herself enjoying the time spent with the two of them immensely.
Though Margit, as the crown prince’s fiancée, was undoubtedly busy, she still made time to accompany Emma and Shiller occasionally. Compared to her days with Nick, these moments felt liberating, joyful, and full of happiness.
Emma often wore a radiant smile, one that occasionally caught Nick’s attention as he watched her from a distance in the academy. Muir would sometimes glare at Emma as well, but neither of them dared approach her when she was with Shiller or Margit.
One day, Emma overheard a conversation between Shiller and another male student in the hallway.
“Lord Nick is planning to visit ___ this afternoon.”
“So he’s making another surprise visit? If he won’t give up, prepare to ___ ahead of time.”
“Perhaps he’s doing it because he can’t approach Lady Emma directly when you’re around.”
“___ It’s not fair to Emma. I’ll take her to the rose garden today before heading home.”
Emma immediately realized what was happening: Nick was planning to visit her house after school. Shiller was actively working to keep both Nick and the Charmant family away from her.
Her father believed in informing her about everything as a form of love. But Emma also appreciated this version of love, where Shiller shielded her from unnecessary trouble without involving her.
(But how does Shiller know about Nick’s plans?)
She pondered this but couldn’t figure it out. Perhaps Margit would know.
Returning to the classroom, Emma leaned in and asked Margit directly, “How does Shiller know everything?”
Margit flinched at the sudden question. “Oh my, what brought this on? I don’t think he knows everything,” she replied, quickly averting her gaze.
Margit’s uncharacteristic flustered state piqued Emma’s curiosity. She leaned closer, but Margit raised her fan as a shield.
“Today, for example, Shiller knew Nick was planning to visit my house. His information-gathering skills are amazing, don’t you think? Or is this just what being part of a duke’s family entails?”
“Well… it’s because it’s Shiller,” Margit muttered.
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